SCI204: Honors Biology This course provides students with a challenging honors-level biology curriculum, focusing on the chemistry of living things: the cell, genetics, evolution, the structure and function of living things, and ecology. The program consists of advanced online lessons including extensive animations, an associated reference book, collaborative explorations, and hands-on laboratory experiments students can conduct at home. Honors activities include debates, research papers, extended collaborative laboratories, and virtual laboratories. K 12 provides all lab materials that cannot easily be found in the home. Course length: Two semesters Materials: Biology: A Reference Guide; materials for laboratory experiments, including a compound microscope Prerequisites: K 12 middle school Life Science, or equivalent, success in previous science course, and teacher/school counselor recommendation SEMESTER ONE Unit 1: The Science of Biology Students explore biology as one of the sciences and confront the concepts of scientific methods. After exploring scientific processes as they apply to biology, students examine what life means as they investigate the characteristics that all living things share. Students then look at the importance of energy, what kinds of energy are significant when considering living things, and the relationship of structures of living things to their functions. Introduction Biology and Scientific Methods Scientific Processes Laboratory: Using a Microscope The Characteristics of Life Energy and Life Structure and Function Unit 2: The Chemistry of Life Students explore the chemical basis for life by examining the most important groups of organic compounds: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Students then examine water and how it is important for living things. In each case, students focus on the relationship of the molecular structure of compounds to its function in living things. Chemistry Review Chemical Bonds Carbon and Life Organic Compounds and Trace Elements Ions in Living Things Useful Chemicals from Living Things Water Laboratory: Investigating Biological Compounds Simple Carbohydrates Complex Carbohydrates Lipids Amino Acids and Proteins www.k12.com { Pg. 1 }
Levels of Protein Structure Proteins as Enzymes Nucleic Acids ATP Unit 3: Cell Biology Students now are able to begin looking at the structure and function of living things. They begin with an exploration of the cell. They confront the structure of the cell, its membranes and organelles. In particular, they look at the processes by which cells gather and make energy available, focusing on the activities of the mitochondrion and the chloroplast. Students then proceed to look at cellular reproduction and study the processes of meiosis and mitosis. The Cell and Life Cell Structure Cell Organelles Two Types of Cells Cell Membrane Structure Movement Across Membranes Passive Transport Active Transport Laboratory: Determining the Rate of Diffusion Glycolysis and Fermentation The Krebs Cycle The Electron Transport System Light and Photosynthesis Photosynthesis and Glucose Chemical Energy and Life Respiration and Photosynthesis Laboratory: The Rate of Photosynthesis Reproduction and Development Mitosis Laboratory: Observing Mitosis Cell Differentiation Cell Specialization Sexual Reproduction Meiosis I Meiosis II Unit 4: Mendelian Genetics Students learn about the work of Gregor Mendel as a way of studying modern genetics. They perform genetic crosses and begin to see how traits are inherited. As they examine Mendelian genetics more closely, they see the relationship between inheritance and chromosomes and between genes and alleles. This unit prepares students to go deeper into genetics at the molecular level. The Work of Gregor Mendel Mendelian Inheritance Laboratory: Genetic Crosses Pedigrees www.k12.com { Pg. 2 }
Laboratory: Gene Mapping Chromosomes and Genes Genes and Alleles Genetic Variation Unit 5: Molecular Genetics The chemical basis for genetics is one of the cornerstones of modern biology. In this unit, students understand the relationship between DNA, RNA, and proteins and what this has to do with genes and inheritance. After establishing a firm basis in molecular genetics, students are able to understand modern applications of genetics, including biotechnology and genetic engineering. DNA, RNA, and Proteins Structure of DNA Structures of RNA DNA Replication Transcription Laboratory: Modeling DNA Laboratory: Modeling DNA Replication DNA Makes RNA RNA Makes Protein The Genetic Code Unit 6: Semester 1 Review and Test Students prepare for and take the semester test. Unit 7: Honors Project 1: Research Paper An independent research paper gives honors students the opportunity to explore biology topics in depth. Students select one of five topics to research and then develop a paper reporting on their topic. Planning Your Research Paper Finding and Using Information for Your Paper Organizing Notes and Developing an Outline Writing Your Paper Creating a Works Cited Page Revising and Proofreading the Research Paper Unit 8: Honors Project 2: Extended Lab: Rate of Photosynthesis This honors project extends the Rate of Photosynthesis Lab so that students test the effects of an additional variable light as well as heat. Students model communication and collaboration of the scientific community by collecting and sharing data in an online shared spreadsheet. They benefit from multiple sets of data and repeated trials rather than a single set of their own data. Students download and graph the data, and then discuss outliers, experimental error, and other factors related to experimental design. www.k12.com { Pg. 3 }
SEMESTER TWO Unit 1: Gene Expression In this unit, students explore the process by which the DNA-RNA relationship builds proteins. Then students learn how the process of proteins synthesis is controlled, a process called gene expression. Students then are able to understand modern applications of genetics, including biotechnology and genetic engineering. Introduction Proteins Express DNA How Proteins Work Gene Expression Biotechnology Genetic Engineering Unit 2: Evolution Evolution is the central organizing principle of biology. Students learn about the concept of evolution and the underlying principles of natural selection. Once they have mastered the fundamental principles, they see how modern evolution is a science that includes gene changes over time as the underlying mechanism for evolution. Evolution and Biology Evolution of Populations Multiplying Variation in Populations Types of Natural Selection History of Evolutionary Thought Evidence for Evolution Evolution and Earth History Laboratory: The Process of Natural Selection Genetic Basis of Evolution The Hardy-Weinberg Equation Geographic Isolation Genetic Isolation Unit 3: Survey of Living Things 1 Students learn about the structure and function of living things by examining three representative organisms: a flatworm, a fern, and a human. In doing so, students examine processes such as digestion and respiration comparing and contrasting how living things obtain food, break down food, eliminate waste, and obtain and use oxygen. Classification and Taxonomy Modern Classification Laboratory: Dichotomous Key Viruses and Prokaryotes Protists and Fungi Animals Plants Three Representative Organisms Getting Energy Digestion Digestion in Humans Laboratory: Human Digestion Actions Waste Removal www.k12.com { Pg. 4 }
Waste Removal in Humans Obtaining Oxygen Oxygen and the Human Body Unit 4: Survey of Living Things 2 Students continue their examination of living things, focusing on three representative organisms. They explore the nervous and muscular systems and see how these systems aid in responding to the organism s environment. Students then examine various aspects of reproduction among living things and finish with a study of defense. How Organisms Monitor Their Environments Human Nervous System Feedback Mechanisms How Living Things Respond to Their Environments Muscular Systems How Muscles Contract Laboratory: Chicken Muscles Fern Reproduction Flatworm Reproduction Human Reproduction How Organisms Defend Themselves Human Immune Response Plant Defenses Unit 5: Ecology and the Environment As students have moved through this curriculum, they have learned about living things, their structure, and functions. In this unit, they confront organisms in relation to their environments. Students study living things and the ecosystems in which they live, examining both the biotic and abiotic components of the world in which organisms exist. Individuals and Populations Communities Ecosystems Ecosystem Stability Biomes Biodiversity Energy Flow in Ecosystems Food Chains and Food Webs Succession Laboratory: Patterns of Succession Changes in Ecosystems Water and Nitrogen Cycles Carbon and Oxygen Cycles Laboratory: Fixation in Root Nodules Laboratory: The Effects of Acidity on Seed Germination Natural Resources Environmental Challenges Global Temperatures Pollution www.k12.com { Pg. 5 }
Unit 6: Semester 2 Review and Test Students prepare for and take the semester test. Unit 7: Honors Project 1: Virtual Lab: Antibiotic Resistance Antibiotic resistance describes how the effects of antibiotics on certain bacteria weaken or become ineffective over time. Students investigate antibiotic resistance by conducting an experiment in the K 12 Virtual Science Lab. Virtual Lab: Antibiotic Resistance Unit 8: Honors Project 2: Issues in Science: Online Debate Research and technology produce new information and capabilities, as well as great responsibility. The scientific community wrestles with the question, Just because we can, does that mean we should? Examining all sides of an issue can sometimes bring together everyone s opinions. Other times, people just have to agree to disagree. Different sides of an issue can be examined with a debate. This project is an opportunity for students to examine current scientific issues and express opposing viewpoints through structured debate. Students work in collaborative teams to develop and present a case online. Teamwork and sharing ideas are emphasized; students meet online or in person. Debates: A Different Way to Argue Gathering Evidence Building a Case Reasoning and Refutation Effective Debating Strategies Debate: Constructive Argument Debate: First Rebuttal Debate: Second Rebuttal Debate: Summary Argument Copyright 2010 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. K12 is a registered trademark and the K¹² logo, xpotential and Unleash the xpotential are trademarks of K12 Inc. www.k12.com { Pg. 6 }